Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday called the capture of hundreds of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants by the Afghan Taliban “not enough,” emphasizing the necessity for strong action against cross-border terrorism.
During a media briefing at the Foreign Office in Islamabad, Dar mentioned that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi had invited Pakistan to confirm the arrests, which Dar claimed did not meet Islamabad’s expectations. He urged Kabul to ensure Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan, reiterating that Pakistan had only one demand: the movement or handover of TTP members near the border.
Cleanup operation against terrorists
Dar stated that Pakistan was ready to start a major operation in Afghanistan to remove militant threats, but friendly countries Qatar and Turkiye requested a pause and offered to mediate. He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for delaying the operation. Despite several negotiation attempts, Dar regretted that the Afghan Taliban did not change their position.
He emphasized that Pakistan did not close the border “out of happiness” but due to security needs, warning that ongoing militant attacks have resulted in 4,000 Pakistani soldiers losing their lives since the Taliban took control in 2021.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s frequent diplomatic meetings, such as visits to Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, and Kabul, intended to restore stability in Afghanistan. He stated that Pakistan had kept all promises to the Afghan leadership and called for constructive dialogue, with support from the EU and regional partners for Islamabad’s approach.
He also mentioned Pakistan’s willingness to provide essential humanitarian aid to Afghanistan at the UN’s request, emphasizing that relief efforts would proceed while ensuring security needs were met.
Gaza Peace Force
In a separate matter, Dar confirmed Pakistan’s willingness to contribute troops to the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, dependent on a clear UN Security Council-approved mandate. He made it clear that Pakistan would not take part in disarming Hamas, stating it is the responsibility of Palestinian law enforcement agencies.
Dar added that Pakistan’s stance was consistent with other countries, including Indonesia, which had offered 20,000 troops, and noted that Prime Minister Sharif had given initial approval for participation. He stressed that the ISF’s mandate and terms of reference must first be clearly defined before a final commitment.